Air Conditioned train service from Bangkok to Pattaya begins March 17

The governments special train service running from Bangkok to Ban Plu Ta Luang stopping off in Pattaya will start operating on March 17 as part of a six month trial to boost tourism in the region.

The train is scheduled to stop off in 14 locations on route to Ban Plu Ta Luang including Pattaya’s Floating Market, Nong Nuch Gardens and Sri Racha.

Trains numbered 997 and 998 will run every Saturday and Sunday and tickets for longer journeys i.e. Bangkok to Plu Ta Luang can be booked in advance online, shorter journeys cannot be booked in advance as yet.

Those wishing to take advantage of the service will have to get up a little early however as train 997 leaves Bangkok at 6:45am and is scheduled to arrive in Pattaya at 9:13am before reaching Ban Plu Ta Luang at 9:50am.

The returning train is scheduled to depart Ban Plu Ta Luang at 3:50pm arriving in Pattaya at 4:26pm before arriving back in the capital at 6:55pm.

Prices for some parts of the journey have been announced, for those wishing to travel the whole length of the line the fare will cost 170 baht and a trip from Sri Racha to Pattaya will cost 50 baht.

All stations are reported to have arranged public transport options such as motorbike taxi’s and baht buses to be standing by ready for when the train arrives.